DISPLACEMENT OF DENTAL IMPLANTS TO THE MAXILLARY SINUS BACKGROUND
Displacement of implants into the maxillary sinus is a rare complication. Lack of primary stability, excessive expansion of the implant bed, the surgeon’s inexperience and implant loading during the healing phase are the most common causes of implant displacement to the maxillary sinus.
CASE STUDY
A 55-year-old male was referred by his general dental practitioner to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Aalborg University Hospital, for removal of a displaced implant to the maxillary sinus. Seven implants were previously inserted in the upper jaw. During prosthetic rehabilitation, the posterior implant on the left side was located in the maxillary sinus. The implant could not be found, and the prosthetic reconstruction was finalized. Due to increasing pain and chronic maxillary sinusitis, the implant was removed under local anaesthesia by an intraoral access. Afterwards, the patient’s symptoms disappeared.
CONCLUSION
Displaced implants to maxillary sinus may cause chronic maxillary sinusitis with closure of the osteoum, oro-antral fistula and pain. Moreover, displaced implants can migrate from the maxillary sinus to cavitas nasi, sphenoidalis and ethmoidalis sinuses. Thus, displaced implants should be removed.